Spirit Type: Single Malt

Country: Scotland

ABV: 48.0%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

Smokehead is a deeply peated single malt from an unidentified distillery on Islay, bottled and sold by Ian Macleod Distillers. The product initially appeared in 2006, its bold flavor profile and modern packaging designed to appeal to drinkers.

Ian Macleod Distillers take their name from the Isle of Skye blended scotch product maker. Born on the island, he industrialized the whisky concerning the Clan Macleod and their long link with the land of his birth. In 1963 though, Ian Macleod Ltd was bought by Peter Russell, who had inherited his Father's whisky broking business in 1956.

Smokehead has permanently established what it is a very stable portrayal of the Islay style, never permitting the smoke to run rampant in the way we peat-heads often like it. 

However, with Sherry Bomb, it's like the mixer has been able to crank the smoke up a mark, safe in the information that Sherry would keep it in check. 

Although displaying this intense coming together of big flavors, the bottling forte of 48% makes for a very filtered dram – strong enough to bring on the flavor yet not so robust as to roast the taste. 

It is a dark, garnet-colored amber that 'explodes' in the crystal; it looks lovely. The product's aroma is very meaty, with lots of barbecue sauce joined with the sherried soul of sultanas, grilled hazelnuts, marzipan, and cinnamon. It seems harsh yet balanced.

Talking about the taste of the product, the subtleness of the woody aromas makes itself felt on the preference. At the same time, the palate is enclosed by the oily fumes of the barbecue and the ashes, without lacking the sweeter element of cinnamon and crisped nuts, a dash of licorice and, on the extent, an explicit marine constituent, with the salinity balancing the alliance of peat and Sherry.

It is a proud Islay; which distillery matters in the finish? The finish is (a lot) of barbecue sauce, salt, and slight astringency.